{"id":8498,"date":"2014-04-13T14:42:34","date_gmt":"2014-04-13T18:42:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/?p=8498"},"modified":"2014-04-13T14:42:34","modified_gmt":"2014-04-13T18:42:34","slug":"danville-city-council-forum-american-legion-forum-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/2014\/04\/13\/danville-city-council-forum-american-legion-forum-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Danville City Council Forum – American Legion Forum (Part #2)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let’s move right into the audience portion of Tuesday night’s American Legion Post 325 Danville City Council Candidates forum. Sorry for the long delay but these things take a while to write.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

After the first six questions, here’s how they stand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Gary Miller
\n<\/b><\/td>\n		+25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alonzo Jones<\/b><\/td>\n+21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dawn Witter<\/b><\/td>\n+12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
John Gilstrap<\/b><\/td>\n+9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Joyce Glaise<\/strong><\/td>\n-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thomas Motley
\n<\/b><\/td>\n		-5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Lots of work to be done. Robert Benson & Chuck Vipperman have left the building and Sheila Baynes uses her own MUTE<\/strong> button on that. I’ll slap a MUTE<\/strong> on the 99.9% of Danville residents who haven’t shown up to either forum so far. Lousy attendance tonight.<\/p>\n

In the second half, the questions are from the audience and have been pre-screened.<\/p>\n

Question #7: How does Danville promote to outside industry?<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Dawn Witter: Globally. (+2)<\/li>\n
  • Thomas Motley: Globally. (+2)<\/li>\n
  • Gary Miller: City residents need to promote Danville themselves, speaks about his out-of-town business trips. (+3)<\/li>\n
  • Alonzo Jones: All residents should be ambassadors. Difficult job just to get people to serve on city boards & commissions. (+3)<\/li>\n
  • Joyce Glaise: She will meet with the governor and the General Assembly. (oh, that’ll make a difference – MUTE<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
  • John Gilstrap: Everybody needs to network their own contacts (+2), we need to analyze our existing weaknesses and correct them (+3 and another +2 for mentioning the existing problems)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Question #8: What about the use of so many consultants for studies and advice?<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Thomas Motley: We have talented people in Danville, look from within first (+3).<\/li>\n
    • Gary Miller: Previously stated disdain for consultants (+3), Danville Regional foundation has yearly interns that can do most of the jobs (+3)<\/li>\n
    • Alonzo Jones: Reminds that all consultant proposals are bid out (+2) and things like the parking study couldn’t have been done locally (+2).<\/li>\n
    • Joyce Glaise: There’s enough talent in the city (+2).<\/li>\n
    • John Gilstrap: reminds that the River District study definitely had to be done by outside people (+3).<\/li>\n
    • Dawn Witter: Outside consultants are needed at times, but look inside Danville first (+2).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Question #9: What can Danville do to make recycling easier?<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Gary Miller: More recycling stations and lower the price of curbside recycling (+3).<\/li>\n
      • Alonzo Jones: Start with a youth program and offer prizes to get more households involved (+3).<\/li>\n
      • Joyce Glaise: She helped create the boys & girls club (Huh? MUTE<\/strong>), more stations needed (+2).<\/li>\n
      • John Gilstrap: Should not be mandated (+3), cost needs to be lowered (+3).<\/li>\n
      • Dawn Witter: More recycling stations (+2), better education of the public (+3)<\/li>\n
      • Thomas Motley: Has issues with the mandated trashcan charge, other cities are doing recycling (MUTE<\/strong> – not an answer).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Question #10: Do you support a full audit on the funding supplied to the local Job Busts?<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Alonzo Jones: Legally, the city can’t disclose everything that is going on. If a person is legally operating a business, the city can’t say anything. (MUTE<\/strong> – not an answer)<\/li>\n
        • Joyce Glaise: Follow the rules & audit (+2). We shouldn’t be critical of people (What? – MUTE<\/strong> )<\/li>\n
        • John Gilstrap: “Absolutely if it involves city money” (+3)<\/li>\n
        • Dawn Witter: Audit and increase transparency (+3 and another +2 for that semi-callout).<\/li>\n
        • Thomas Motley: Audit (+2). Some people seem to get away with more than others (Yowtch! +3 and another +3 for having the guts to say that)<\/li>\n
        • Gary Miller: Highly disappointed with the job busts though a lot isn’t Danville’s fault (+3), called Web Parts out directly (+3).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Question #11: Last question… What sets you apart and why should I vote for you?<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Joyce Glaise: Experience on council (+2), knowledge of how it works (+2), works with the police department (huh?), she had a new social Services building built (NO! You were one of nine members of council who got the DSS team moved to the old Thalhimer’s building! MUTE<\/strong> and a -2 for the wrong self-promotion).<\/li>\n
          • John Gilstrap: Someone you can relate and communicate with (+3), will represent you on council (+2), previous city department head experience (+2).<\/li>\n
          • Dawn Witter: Active in the community (+2), unique point of view (+3), no females on council now (even though she said that’s not a big reason to vote for her, she’s getting a MUTE<\/strong> because gender is totally irrelevant to who I choose to vote for)<\/li>\n
          • Thomas Motley: Advocate for the poor & disabled (+3), “leave no community behind” (huh?), will never vote yes to any utility, tax or fee increase (MUTE<\/strong> for that impossible idea), we must live within our means (+3) .<\/li>\n
          • Gary Miller: Has the interest of the citizens at heart (+2), only one of nine members so teamwork is important , willing to compromise (+2), does his research on all issues before council (He really does\u00a0 great job on that. +3 and a +2 for his efforts)<\/li>\n
          • Alonzo Jones: Came back to Danville from the military, saw the curfew problem and immediately started to work on that issue (+3). Mentioned bad stories and rumors about him in previous elections and was proud to put all of that behind him (This is the first time I’ve heard Jones mention that and he knocked it out of the park. +3 and another +1 for addressing it semi-directly.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            It’s time for the closing statements, but the last question was pretty much a closing statement in itself.\u00a0 In random order, each candidate gets two minutes. Here’s how it will work here… I’ll recap their closing statement then I’ll give them between zero and ten points for it.<\/p>\n

              \n
            • John Gilstrap: Stresses employment and economic development along with working with the school board. Will oppose any utility rate increase and promote the community. Score: 8<\/li>\n
            • Alonzo Jones: Politely asking for your vote. Loves Danville. Only one of nine council members, can’t do it alone. Score: 7<\/li>\n
            • Thomas Motley: Third time running for council. People say anything during campaign season. Mentions the mandated trashcan policy. Score: 8<\/li>\n
            • Gary Miller: Promotes health & welfare of citizens, coal ash spill talk, helped develop Riverwalk Trail, helped establish the hospital’s internship program, supporter of downtown development, recovering delinquent taxes, business owner. Score: 10<\/li>\n
            • Joyce Glaise: 12 years council experience, 30 years teaching, now at Virginia State, helped found Boys & Girls club, has new ideas, wants to lower real estate taxes and utility rates. Score: 5<\/li>\n
            • Dawn Witter: Wasn’t born here, chose to move here, Danville has potential and is worthwhile. Score: 6<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              And that’s the horn, folks. Let’s take a look at the final scoreboard…<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
              Gary Miller<\/b><\/td>\n+62<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              John Gilstrap<\/b><\/td>\n+46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              Alonzo Jones<\/b><\/td>\n+44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              Dawn Witter<\/b><\/td>\n+35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              Thomas Motley<\/b><\/td>\n+19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
              Joyce Glaise<\/b><\/td>\n+8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

              As expected, the three incumbents are strong and show it. Dawn Witter is holding her own and is definitely in the running. Thomas Motley… well, I like him. I really do. He’s got a powerful presence but he’s got to stand out in this crowded field to have a chance. As for Joyce Glaise, it’s sad to say that she just looks lost at times.<\/p>\n

              I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed doing it. Next stop for SouthsideCentral is going to be a “Power Rankings” of the candidates.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Let’s move right into the audience portion of Tuesday night’s American Legion Post 325 Danville City Council Candidates forum. Sorry for the long delay but these things take a while to write.<\/p>\n

              […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[58,20,22,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-danville","category-newscentral","category-opinioncentral","category-politicscentral","odd"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pwqFk-2d4","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6802,"url":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/2010\/04\/20\/danville-city-council-race-update-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":8498,"position":0},"title":"Danville City Council Race \u2013 Update #5","author":"SouthsideCentral","date":"April 20, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"(Last update - Danville City Council Race \u2013 Update #4) The candidate forums are now finished, and it's time to see what the five candidates for the four Danville City Council seats have to do to win. 14 days to go before Election Day, and the City Council race is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Danville"","block_context":{"text":"Danville","link":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/category\/locations\/danville\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8493,"url":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/2014\/04\/13\/danville-city-council-forum-american-legion-forum-part-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":8498,"position":1},"title":"Danville City Council Forum – American Legion Forum (Part #1)","author":"SouthsideCentral","date":"April 13, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Hey, the gang's all back for another Danville City Council candidates forum. Well, mostly. You people enjoyed the scoring system last time, so I'll do it again. there were a lot of questions asked so we'll spread this out over multiple articles. Lets make it happen... Modeled after the \"Around\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Danville"","block_context":{"text":"Danville","link":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/category\/locations\/danville\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9173,"url":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/2014\/07\/01\/danville-city-council-live-712014\/","url_meta":{"origin":8498,"position":2},"title":"Danville City Council LIVE! (7\/1\/2014)","author":"SouthsideCentral","date":"July 1, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"We have three articles in the \"Must Write\" columns and more that need editing, but do you think that's going to stop us from having back-to-back-to-back LIVE! articles? Not a chance, baby! SouthsideCentral is LIVE! at Danville City Hall for tonight's Danville City Council meeting. You know what to do.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Danville"","block_context":{"text":"Danville","link":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/category\/locations\/danville\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6795,"url":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/2010\/04\/19\/some-thoughts-about-todays-danville-city-council-forum\/","url_meta":{"origin":8498,"position":3},"title":"Some thoughts about today’s Danville City Council forum","author":"SouthsideCentral","date":"April 19, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"The five candidates for City Council got together today at Danville's Liberty Hill Baptist Church for a forum sponsored by the Danville Ministerial Alliance. Let's go to some random thoughts... It takes a lot of time to run for City Council. This was the third \"forum\" in a seven-day period.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "EventsCentral"","block_context":{"text":"EventsCentral","link":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/category\/eventscentral\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":17699,"url":"https:\/\/www.southsidecentral.com\/wordpress\/2016\/03\/24\/madison-whittles-campaign-office-grand-opening-part-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":8498,"position":4},"title":"Madison Whittle\u2019s Campaign Office Grand Opening (Part #2)","author":"SouthsideCentral","date":"March 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"We've already published Part #1 in this two-part PhotoCentral series on Danville City Council candidate Madison Whittle's campaign office grand opening, and we'll wrap up our look at Wednesday's happenings here. We're at the Forum building on Piney Forest Road. Let's move on! 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We're getting back up to speed with last week's Danville City Council candidate forum. Part #1 & Part #2 are already published. We're continuing with the third question asked. 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